(VAN) With only humble bamboo splints and rattan strips, Duc Phong Co., Ltd has created a miracle – their product line is now present in many countries around the world.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, Nghe An has over 700 OCOP-certified products, helping the province rise to second place nationwide in implementing the “One Commune One Product” program, just after Hanoi.
Despite leading in quantity, many obstacles and challenges remain. In reality, many OCOP products, once honored, soon show signs of declining quality as the market becomes fiercely competitive.
Making the most of the skilled hands of senior artisans, Duc Phong has turned humble rattan strips and bamboo splints into a true gold mine. Photo: Viet Khanh.
In that context, Duc Phong Co., Ltd’s distinctive bamboo and rattan woven product line has remained strong at the top for many years – a truly admirable achievement.
Calling Duc Phong’s bamboo and rattan weaving the face of OCOP Nghe An is no exaggeration, as proven in practice. Most recently, a group of products including spiral hanging lamps, lotus-petal table lamps, and wall-mounted lamps was awarded the national 5-star OCOP rating. Previously, in 2022, the company had five products honored with the same rating.
This success did not come by chance but stemmed from the steadfast vision of the company’s leadership – people who are passionate, ambitious, and business-savvy. They know how to harness the skilled hands of senior “artisans” while promoting the value of young individuals full of enthusiasm. Duc Phong is also among the few businesses in Nghe An that focus on developing a successor generation, encouraging creativity in production, and proactively bringing their products to international fairs to expand their market.
Duc Phong’s OCOP products have reached many countries around the world. Photo: Viet Khanh.
Few people know that Thai Ba Phuong is the “father” of these eye-catching, skillfully crafted products that have earned the trust of customers worldwide. This entrepreneur is not yet 40 years old but has the insight of a seasoned professional. He has breathed life into everyday items and turned them into works of art.
Phuong was born and raised in the former Vinh city in a family with a tradition of crafting fine handicrafts. As an adult, he chose to study import-export in the Netherlands, followed by advanced design. Although he had a wide-open path in Europe, Phuong did not choose to develop his career there. Instead, he returned home to continue the journey his father had started.
In a small workshop located in the corner of Nghi Phu industrial zone, Phuong works tirelessly day and night, sketching designs for bamboo and rattan lamps that carry the soul of Vietnamese rural life, blended with the elegance and sophistication of Europe. His main product lines – ceiling lamps, pendant lamps, table lamps, and wall lamps shaped like spheres, bird nests, and mushrooms, are warmly welcomed by customers in Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
Phuong does not stop at production but focuses on telling the brand’s story through each product. Every lamp he designs is named after a folk tale or inspired by nature and local culture. This makes each item not just a handicraft, but a vessel carrying memories of the homeland.
Magic comes from the simplest things. Photo: Viet Khanh.
“Each bamboo and rattan lantern is a work of art that embodies creativity and aesthetics without being overly complicated, allowing for simplified production. Every year, I come up with hundreds of design ideas and sketches to send to clients and partners for feedback. Based on their responses, I refine and complete the best-quality models,” Phuong shared about his craft.
Accompanying Thai Ba Phuong through the years has been Doan Anh Tuan, a technician at Duc Phong Co., Ltd. While Phuong designs the products, Tuan brings them to life.
After receiving the 2D and 3D design drawings, Tuan calculates the proportions, selects suitable materials, and directly guides the artisans on how to perfect each joint, fold, and seam.
“5-star OCOP products require stricter criteria than traditional bamboo and rattan goods. Each product is like a living being with personality and color – it must convey the spirit that the designer intended. I pay close attention to every detail, often working and even eating with the artisans. Despite their age, the craftsmen have incredibly skilled hands and learn quickly, so production time is significantly shortened,” Doan Anh Tuan shared.
By combining clever thinking with skilled hands, this company has transformed simple, traditional items into a true “gold mine.” Duc Phong is among the few enterprises in Nghe An with 5-star OCOP products. These artistically rich items not only dominate the domestic market but also reach potential international markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan.
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